Pole mounting systems and methods

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments of the present disclosure an system for mounting a structure to a pole is provided. The system can include a pole mounting bracket connectable to a pole such that the pole mounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientation within a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane. The system additionally can include a platform subassembly that comprises a structure platform connected to a platform mounting bracket. The platform mounting bracket can be pivotally connectable to the pole mounting bracket and can be adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket in a vertical orientation within a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, to thereby place the structure platform in a substantially level orientation.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to systems and methods for mountingstructures to a pole.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Many environments or terrains are not aesthetically or physicallyconducive or desirable for locating equipment/utility enclosures orcabinets, such as telecom electronic enclosures, on the ground.Therefore, such enclosures or cabinets are often mounted above ground onpoles. More particularly, typically, the enclosures or cabinets arecoupled to, or mounted on, a mounting platform that is coupled to thepole. However, the mounting poles can frequently be out-of-plumb, i.e.,canted or angled slightly from a substantially vertical orientation.Consequently, when a mounting platform is coupled to an out-of-plumbpole, the mounting platform is subsequently out-of-level and provides anon-level platform or surface on which to mount the enclosure.Accordingly, a pole mounted enclosure or cabinet can reside in thenon-level orientation, which can cause stress on, and/or misalignmentof, components of the enclosure, e.g., doors, shelves, cover plates,component mountings within the enclosure, etc.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure asystem for mounting a structure to a pole is provided. The system caninclude a pole mounting bracket connectable to a pole such that the polemounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientationwithin a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole withinthe first plane. The system additionally can include a platformsubassembly that comprises a structure platform connected to a platformmounting bracket. The platform mounting bracket can be pivotallyconnectable to the pole mounting bracket and can be adjustably coupledto the pole mounting bracket in a vertical orientation within a secondplane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of theverticality of the pole within the second plane, to thereby place thestructure platform in a substantially level orientation.

In accordance with various other embodiments of the present disclosure,a method for mounting a structure to a pole is provided. The methodincludes connecting a first end of a pole mounting bracket to a pole.The method additionally includes positioning the pole mounting bracketin a substantially vertical orientation within a first plane, regardlessof the verticality of the pole within the first plane, and connecting asecond end of the pole mounting bracket to the pole to affix the polemounting bracket to the pole in the substantially vertical orientation.The method further includes connecting a platform subassembly thatincludes a structure platform to a platform mounting bracket. Theplatform mounting bracket is pivotally connected to the pole mountingbracket. Still further, the method includes positioning the platformmounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within a secondplane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of theverticality of the pole within the second plane, such that the structureplatform is placed in a substantially level orientation. The methodfurther yet includes affixing the platform mounting bracket to the polemounting bracket by inserting fasteners through at least two of aplurality of first positioning holes in the pole mounting bracket and atleast two of a plurality of second positioning holes in the platformmounting bracket. The at least two second positioning holessubstantially concentrically align with the at least two firstpositioning holes when the platform mounting bracket is positioned inthe substantially vertical orientation.

Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will becomeapparent from the description provided herein. It should be understoodthat the description and specific examples are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentteachings.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pole mounting system for mounting astructure to a pole, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a pole mounting bracket included in thepole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of a pole mounting bracket included in thepole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a platform subassembly of the polemounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the platform subassembly coupled to apole mounting bracket, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a structure mounted on a pole utilizingthe pole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a top bracketincluded in the pole mounting system, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for mounting a structure toa pole utilizing the pole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordancewith various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses.Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used torefer to like elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure a pole mounting system 10 is provided for mounting astructure, such as a utility or equipment cabinet or enclosure, to apole, such as a telephone pole. Generally, the pole mounting system 10includes a pole mounting bracket 14 and a structure platform subassembly18 that includes a structure platform 26 connected to a platformmounting bracket 30 via braces 34.

The pole mounting bracket 14 is structured to be affixed to a pole 22 ina substantially vertical orientation within a first plane θ regardlessof the verticality of the pole 22 within the first plane θ.Additionally, the platform mounting bracket 30 is pivotally connectableto the pole mounting bracket 14 such that the platform mounting bracket30 can be adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket 14 in asubstantially vertical orientation within a second plane α regardless ofthe verticality of the pole within the second plane α. The second planeα is orthogonal to the first plane θ. Therefore, when the pole mountingbracket 14 is affixed to the pole 22 in a substantially verticalorientation within a first plane θ and the platform mounting bracket 30is coupled to pole mounting bracket 14 in a substantially verticalorientation within a second plane α, the structure platform 26 is placedin a substantially level orientation.

More specifically, when the pole 22 is off-vertical within the firstplane θ, i.e., canted away from the vertical line V in the X⁺ or X⁻direction, the pole mounting bracket 14 can be affixed to the pole 22 ina vertical orientation within the first plane θ, i.e., parallel with thevertical line V_(θ). Additionally, when the pole 22 is off-verticalwithin the second plane α, i.e., canted away from the vertical line V inthe Y⁺ or Y⁻ direction, the platform mounting bracket 30 can be coupledto the pole 22 in a vertical orientation within the second plane α,i.e., parallel with the vertical line V_(α). By vertically aligning thepole mounting bracket 14 within the first plane θ and verticallyaligning the platform mounting bracket 30 within the second plane α, asdescribed herein, the structure platform 26 will be suspended from thepole 22 in a substantially level orientation, regardless of theverticality of the poll 22. Accordingly, a structure 38 (shown in FIG.5), e.g., a utility or equipment cabinet or enclosure, mounted onstructure platform 26 will also have a substantially level orientation,regardless of the verticality of the pole 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in various embodiments the polemounting bracket comprises a pole-side channel 42 coupled to aplatform-side channel 46. The pole-side and platform-side channels 42and 46 can be coupled together using any means suitable to fixedlycouple pole-side and platform-side channels 42 and 46 together. Forexample, pole-side and platform-side channels 42 and 46 can be fixedlycoupled together via welding, riveting, bolting, screwing, etc. Thepole-side channel 42 includes a pair of legs 42A and 42B, and theplatform-side channel includes a pair of legs 46A and 46B. In variousembodiments, one or more of the pole-side channel legs 42A and 42Binclude one or more teeth 50 along a distal edge 54 of the respectivepole-side channel legs 42A and/or 42B. Although, the teeth 50 areillustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B as being saw-tooth-like teeth, it isenvisioned that the teeth 50 can be of any shape, size and frequency,e.g., number, along the respective distal edges 54, and remain withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

In accordance with various embodiments, the platform-side channel legs46A and 46B each include a lug 58 located at an end portion 62 of therespective legs 46A and 46B. The lugs 58 are used to pivotally couplethe platform mounting bracket 30 to the pole mounting bracket 14, asdescribed below, and can be any lug suitable for such purpose. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, in various embodiments, the lugs 58can be bolts that are threaded into threaded apertures 66 formed in theend portions 62 of the respective platform-side channel legs 46A and46B. Or, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, in various embodiments, the lugs 58can be pins or capped pins that are fixedly connected to the endportions 62 of the respective platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B viawelding, soldering, riveting, etc. In various implementations, the lugs58 coaxially extend in opposite directions from the respectiveplatform-side channel legs 46A and 46B.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, in various embodiments, the platformmounting bracket 30 includes a pair of legs 30A and 30B that eachinclude a coupling slot 70 formed in an end portion 72 of the respectivelegs 30A and 30B. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each coupling slot 70 has anopen end 70A that opens along a distal edge 74 of the respectiveplatform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B. Additionally, each couplingslot 70 terminates at a distal end 70B that is nearer the platform 26than the open end 70A. Thus, the slots 70 are formed within therespective platform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B, having an upwardorientation. Furthermore, the coupling slots 70 are sized to receive arespective one of the lugs 58 such that the platform mounting bracket 30can be pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket 14.

Referring also to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in various embodiments, each leg 46Aand 46B of the pole mounting bracket platform-side channel 46 includes aplurality of first positioning holes 78 formed in an end portion 82 ofthe legs 46A and 46B opposite the end portions 62 of the legs 46A and46B having the lugs 58. Additionally, each leg 30A and 30B of theplatform mounting bracket 30 includes a plurality of second positioningholes 82 formed in an end portion 86 of the legs 30A and 30B oppositethe end portions 72 of the legs 30A and 30B having the coupling slots70. In various embodiments, the first and second positioning holes 78and 82 are arranged in the respective legs 46A, 46B, 30A and 30B in aparticularly articulated or formulated pattern. More specifically, thefirst positioning holes 78 are formed in a first specific pattern withinthe pole mounting bracket platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B, andthe second positioning holes 82 are formed in a second specific patternwithin the platform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B. The first andsecond patterns are designed so that when platform mounting bracket 30is placed in the substantially vertical orientation within the secondplane α, one of the first positioning holes in each of the platform-sidechannel legs 46A and 46B substantially concentrically aligns with one ofthe second positioning holes in the corresponding platform mountingbracket legs 30A and 30B. Subsequently, one or more fasteners 90 (shownin FIG. 4) can be inserted through the concentrically aligned first andsecond positioning holes 78 and 82, to affix the platform mountingbracket 30 to the pole mounting bracket 14.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the platformsubassembly 18 includes one or more supports straps 94 connectable at afirst end 94A to the structure platform 26 and connectable at anopposing second end 94B to the pole 22. The support strap(s) 94 can beutilized to provide additional support, strength and stability to theplatform subassembly 18 once the platform subassembly 18 is fixedlycoupled to the pole mounting bracket 14.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in various embodiments, the pole mountingsystem 10 can further include a structure top bracket 98 that can beconnected to the structure 38 after the structure 38 is mounted on thestructure platform 26. In such embodiments, the pole mounting system 10can also include at least one stabilizer strap 102 that is connectableat a first end 102A to the structure top bracket 98 and connectable atan opposing second end 102B to the pole 22. The stabilizer strap(s) 102can be utilized to provide support and stability to the top of thestructure 38 after the structure 38 is mounted on the structure platform26.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart 200 illustrating a method for mounting thestructure 26 to the pole 22 utilizing the pole mounting system 10 shownin FIGS. 1-5, in accordance with various embodiments. Once the locationon the pole 22 where the structure 38 is to be mounted is determined, afirst end of a pole mounting bracket 14 is connected to the pole 22, asindicated at 202. The first end can be either end of the pole mountingbracket 14. The pole mounting bracket 14 is then positioned in asubstantially vertical orientation within the first plane θ, asindicated at 204. Note that pole mounting bracket 14 is positioned in asubstantially vertical orientation within the first plane θ regardlessof the verticality of the pole within the first plane θ. The opposingsecond end of the pole mounting bracket 14 is then connected to the pole22 to affix the pole mounting bracket 14 to the pole 22 in thesubstantially vertical orientation within the substantially verticalorientation within the first plane θ, as indicated at 206. The first andsecond ends of the pole mounting bracket can be connected to the pole 22using any suitable connecting means. For example, in variousembodiments, a first hole can be drilled through the pole 22 to connectthe pole mounting bracket 14 first end, then the pole mounted bracket 14is vertically oriented, as described above, and a second hole can bedrilled through the pole 22 to affix the pole mounting bracket 14 to thehole in the substantially vertical orientation within the first plane θ.It should also be noted that the teeth 50 along the distal edges 54 ofpole mounting bracket pole-side channel legs 42A and 42B will engage thepole 22 when the pole mounting bracket 14 is affixed to the pole 22.Engagement of the teeth 50 provide additional stability and rigidity ofthe vertical orientation of the pole mounting bracket 14 on the pole 22.

The platform subassembly 18 is then pivotally connected to the polemounting bracket 14 by hooking the coupling slots 70 of the platformmounting bracket 30 on the lugs 58 of the pole mounting bracket, asillustrated at 208. That is, the platform subassembly 18 is hung fromthe pole mounting bracket 14, i.e., hung from the lugs 58, by insertingthe lugs 58 into the corresponding coupling slots 70 and allowing theweight of the platform subassembly 18 to position the lugs 58 at thedistal ends 70B of the coupling slots 70. Thus, the platform subassemblyis pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket 14. Note that if thelugs 58 are threaded bolts that thread into threaded apertures 66, asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2A, the threaded lugs 58 must be looselythreaded into the threaded apertures 66 prior to the platformsubassembly 18 being hung on the lugs 58.

The platform mounting bracket 30 is then positioned in a substantiallyvertical orientation within the second plane α, as indicated at 210.Note that the platform mounting bracket 30 is positioned in thesubstantially vertical orientation within the second plane α regardlessof the verticality of the pole 22 within the second plane α. It shouldalso be noted that positioning the platform mounting bracket 30 in thesubstantially vertical orientation within the second plane α places thestructure platform 26 in a substantially level orientation.

When the platform mounting bracket 30 is positioned in the substantiallyvertical orientation within the second plane α, at least one of thefirst positioning holes 78 in each pole mounting bracket platform-sidechannel leg 46A and 46B will substantially concentrically align with atleast one of the second positioning holes 82 in the correspondingplatform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B. As described above, thepatterns of the first and second positioning holes 78 and 82 arespecifically designed so that at least one first positioning hole 78will substantially concentrically align with a corresponding secondpositioning hole 82 when platform mounting bracket 30 is placed in thesubstantially vertical orientation within the second plane α.

The platform mounting bracket 30 is then affixed to the pole mountingbracket 14 by inserting fasteners through the at least two pairs of theconcentrically aligned first and second positioning holes 78 and 82, asindicated at 212. Accordingly, the platform subassembly 18 is fixedlymounted to the pole 22 with the structure platform 26 in a substantiallylevel position.

In various embodiments, once the platform subassembly 18 is fixedlymounted to the pole mounting bracket 22, the support strap(s) 94 can beconnected to the structure platform 26 and the pole 22 to provideadditional support, strength and stability to the platform subassembly18, as indicated at 214.

Subsequently, the structure 38, such as a utility or equipment cabinetor enclosure, is mounted to the structure platform 26, as indicated at216. Thus, the pole mounting system 10 can be installed as describedherein to mount or suspended the structure 38 to or from the pole 22 isa substantially level orientation, regardless of the verticality of thepole 22.

In various embodiments, once the structure 38 is mounted on thestructure platform 26, the structure top bracket 98 can be connected tothe structure 38 and the stabilizer strap(s) 102 can be connected to thetop bracket 98 and pole 22 to provide stability to the structure 38, asindicated at 218.

The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is describedare intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theteachings.

1. A system for mounting a structure to a pole, said system comprising:a pole mounting bracket connectable to a pole such that the polemounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientationwithin a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole withinthe first plane; and a platform subassembly including a structureplatform connected to a platform mounting bracket pivotally connectableto the pole mounting bracket such that the platform mounting bracket canbe adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket in a verticalorientation within a second plane that is orthogonal the to first plane,regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, suchthat the structure platform can be placed in a substantially levelorientation.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pole mounting bracketcomprises a pole-side channel including a pair of legs having teethalong a distal edge of each respective leg.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the pole mounting bracket comprises a platform-side channelincluding a pair legs and a pair of coaxial lugs extending in oppositedirections from the legs.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the coaxiallugs comprise one of bolts threaded into threaded apertures in endportions of the respective platform-side channel legs, and pins fixedlyconnected to the end portions of the respective platform-side channellegs.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the platform mounting bracketcomprises a pair of legs, each leg including a coupling slot sized toreceive a respective one of the lugs so that the platform mountingbracket can be pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein each leg of the pole mounting bracketplatform-side channel includes a plurality of first positioning holesand each leg of the platform mounting bracket includes a plurality ofsecond positioning holes, the first and second positioning holesarranged in a particular pattern such that the platform mounting bracketcan be pivoted about the lugs to position the platform mounting bracketin a substantially vertical orientation within the second plane havingone of the first positioning holes in each of the platform-side channellegs substantially concentrically align with one of the secondpositioning holes in the platform mounting bracket legs.
 7. The systemof claim 1 further comprising at least one support strap connectable ata first end to the structure platform and connectable at an opposingsecond end to the pole.
 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising astructure top bracket connectable to a structure mounted on thestructure platform and at least one stabilizer strap connectable at afirst end to the structure top bracket and connectable at an opposingsecond end to the pole.
 9. A method for mounting a structure to a pole,said method comprising: connecting a first end of a pole mountingbracket to a pole; positioning the pole mounting bracket in asubstantially vertical orientation within a first plane, regardless ofthe verticality of the pole within the first plane, and connecting asecond end of the pole mounting bracket to the pole to affix the polemounting bracket to the pole in the substantially vertical orientationwithin the first plane; connecting a platform subassembly including astructure platform connected to a platform mounting bracket to the polemounting bracket by pivotally connecting the platform mounting bracketto the pole mounting bracket; positioning the platform mounting bracketin a substantially vertical orientation within a second plane that isorthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the polewithin the second plane, such that the structure platform is placed in asubstantially level orientation; and affixing the platform mountingbracket to the pole mounting bracket by inserting fasteners through atleast two of a plurality of first positioning holes in the pole mountingbracket and at least two of a plurality of second positioning holes inthe platform mounting bracket that substantially concentrically alignwith the at least two first positioning holes when the platform mountingbracket is positioned in the substantially vertical orientation andfastening the fasteners.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingengaging teeth along a distal edge of each of a pair of legs of apole-side channel of the pole mounting bracket with the pole when thepole mounting bracket is affixed to the pole.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein pivotally connecting the platform mounting bracket to the polemounting bracket comprises pivotally engaging a coupling slot in each ofa pair of legs of the platform mounting bracket with a corresponding lugcoaxially extending in opposite directions from a pair of legs of aplatform-side channel of the pole mounting bracket
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein affixing the platform mounting bracket to the polemounting bracket comprises inserting a fastener through one of theplurality of first positioning holes in a first one of the platform-sidechannel legs and through one of the plurality of second positioningholes in a corresponding first one of the platform mounting bracketlegs: and inserting a fastener through one of the plurality of firstpositioning holes in a second one of the platform-side channel legs andthrough one of the plurality of second positioning holes in acorresponding second one of the platform mounting bracket legs, whereinthe first and second positioning holes are arranged in a particularpattern such that the platform mounting bracket can be pivoted about thelugs to position the platform mounting bracket in a substantiallyvertical orientation within the second plane having one of the firstpositioning holes in each of the platform-side channel legssubstantially concentrically align with one of the second positioningholes in the platform mounting bracket legs
 13. The method of claim 9further comprising connecting a first end of at least one support strapto the structure platform and connecting an opposing second end of theat least one support to the pole.
 14. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising: mounting a structure top bracket to a structure mounted onthe structure platform; and connecting a first end of at least onestabilizer strap to the structure top bracket and connecting an opposingsecond end of the at least one stabilizer strap to the pole.
 15. Ansystem for mounting a structure to a pole, said system comprising: apole mounting bracket including a pole-side channel coupled to aplatform-side channel and connectable to a pole such that the polemounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientationwithin a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole withinthe first plane, the pole-side channel including a pair of legs havingteeth along a distal edge of each respective leg that engage the polewhen the pole mounting bracket is affixed to the pole; and a platformsubassembly including a structure platform connected to a platformmounting bracket pivotally connectable to the pole mounting bracket suchthat the platform mounting bracket can be adjustably coupled to the polemounting bracket in a vertical orientation within a second plane that isorthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the polewithin the second plane, such that the structure platform can be placedin a substantially level orientation.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein the pole mounting bracket comprises a platform-side channelincluding a pair legs and a pair of coaxial lugs extending in oppositedirections from the legs.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein theplatform mounting bracket comprises a pair of legs, each leg including acoupling slot sized to receive a respective one of the lugs so that theplatform mounting bracket can be pivotally connected to the polemounting bracket.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein each leg of thepole mounting bracket platform-side channel includes a plurality offirst positioning holes and each leg of the platform mounting bracketincludes a plurality of second positioning holes, the first and secondpositioning holes arranged in a particular pattern such that theplatform mounting bracket can be pivoted about the lugs to position theplatform mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation withinthe second plane having one of the first positioning holes in each ofthe pole-side channel legs substantially concentrically align with oneof the second positioning holes in the platform mounting bracket legs.19. The system of claim 15 further comprising at least one support strapconnectable at a first end to the structure platform and connectable atan opposing second end to the pole.
 20. The system of claim 15 furthercomprising a structure top bracket connectable to a structure mounted onthe structure platform and at least one stabilizer strap connectable ata first end to the structure top bracket and connectable at an opposingsecond end to the pole.